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Pilot requests police, ambulance as Antalya flight makes unscheduled landing

A Jet2 passenger plane is pictured on the runway. (Photo via simpleflying.com)
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A Jet2 passenger plane is pictured on the runway. (Photo via simpleflying.com)
April 28, 2026 04:01 PM GMT+03:00

An Antalya–London flight operated by Jet2 was forced to divert after passengers caused a disturbance mid-air, prompting the pilot to request immediate police and medical assistance before landing in Bulgaria.

Passenger disruption escalates mid-flight

The aircraft took off from Antalya Airport on the evening of April 27, heading for London Gatwick. Shortly after departure, several passengers began causing problems on board. Cabin crew informed the pilot as the situation unfolded, leading to a decision to take further action while the aircraft was still in flight.

As the plane continued over Bulgarian airspace, the pilot contacted air traffic control to report the incident and request support upon landing.

Emergency diversion to Sofia

The aircraft was diverted to Sofia Airport, where it made an unscheduled landing. Recordings of the communication between the cockpit and air traffic control captured the pilot clearly asking for urgent assistance, stating: “We want police and an ambulance. Please come to the aircraft as quickly as possible.”

The request indicates that both law enforcement and medical teams were needed immediately upon arrival, while passengers were instructed to remain seated until authorities boarded the aircraft.

Previous incident highlights pattern

The same airline had faced a similar situation on an earlier Antalya–Manchester flight, which was forced to divert to Brussels after a dispute between passengers escalated into a physical altercation. In that case, two passengers were detained by police and later banned for life from flying with the airline.

April 28, 2026 04:02 PM GMT+03:00
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